Bob Powell

Delegates from colleges, training organisations and partner agencies from all across London came together to focus on how to face the future.

From discussion groups across the event the message was clear:

Learning  provider organisations must do more than just survive, but aim to thrive through adapting and collaborating.

Read the full event report: http://www.rsc-london.ac.uk/1436/

EQUIP is a new programme from the Higher Education Academy that will help individual higher education institutions to identify, understand and resolve key issues affecting the quality and effectiveness of the student learning experience.

Further details on the criteria, guidance notes and the proposal form: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/ourwork/equip/equip_guidance_2010

Delegates representing RSC-supported specialist Higher Education institutions, larger HEIs within the region and FE colleges with significant HE provision gathered at Brettenham House on 26 February 2010 to engage with the debate of how recently announced funding cuts for the sector will impact their operations, whilst seeking to maintain Government agendas.

Drawing on views expressed by colleagues in Further Education and at ULCC, some key strategic questions for the future emerged:

• What are the key underpinning values that the sector and indiviual providers need to hold on to during uncertain times?
• How can the twin aims of efficiency and effectiveness be held together given the pressures that HE (and FE) will face over the coming years?
• How could providers best ensure that present and future technological initiatives are quality driven to achieve a positive impact and/or return on investment?

Read the full event report on the RSC London website.

A new report on “An Investigation into the  Challenges, Application and Benefits of Social Media in Higher Education Institutes” has just been published.  This 28 page document was published by Jadu, a provider of Content Management Systems for public sector organisations.

The research was completed November 2009 and provides Higher Education Institutions with:

• A current appreciation of the challenges and issues faced in implementing social media
• Shared knowledge of how HEIs are capitalising on social media technologies to support strategic and operational activities.
• Insight into the range of benefits that are currently being delivered and those that could be delivered.

The findings represent feedback from 60 respondents across the United Kingdom, from 44 HEIs in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

The four major issues identified in the report are:

1. HEI Management need a stronger business case
2. The strategic approach to managing social media is evolving
3. Can unrestricted use continue?
4. Increased awareness is needed to address cultural issues

The report is available from http://www.jadu.co.uk/heisurvey

The JISC and Leadership Foundation partnership have published interactive guidance to highlight the characteristics of an agile university and articulate how a dynamic business environment can be achieved through the use of technology.

Ewart Woodridge CBE, Chief Executive of the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, says, “The ‘Agile University’ is about the capacity to innovate, particularly in new business or operating models. It requires a creativity in how an institution is structured and people are equipped to lead and manage it. It also requires a strategic and entrepreneurial approach to the use of technology.”   Louisa Dale, JISC’s partnership manager adds, “This guide shows how everyday business issues can be solved by universities adopting an integrated IT strategy across the whole university and highlights case studies on how a simple solution can have a large benefit.”

The guidance covers five areas that are of relevance to all HEIs:

· Strategies for agile institutions: scenario planning

· Relationship management and business intelligence

· Research rigour, accessibility and impact

· Alternative business models for higher education

· Enhancing the student and staff experience

Further information and access to the guidance materials is here: http://www.jisc.ac.uk/news/stories/2010/02/leadership.aspx